Author Archives: Jon Maguire

A Rare Attributed Wolseley

Alfred William Lambart Bayly was born 18th February 1856 in Paisley, Scotland. Educated at Wellington College, Berkshire, England and gazetted as Lieutenant to the 108th Foot 13th June, 1874. He moved to the Bombay Staff Corps 1879 and passed through Staff College in 1893.

The photo above shows Gen Bayly after his appointment to Commandant of the Indian Staff College at Quetta.

He served in the Afghan War of 1880-1881 and was awarded the Afghanistan medal with Kandahar clasp. He also served in the Sudan, 1885 and Burma, 1886-7 earning medals with clasps and The Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. He was made commander of the 126th Bombay Infantry (Baluchistan) Regiment in 1896 and fought in the 2nd Boer War once again being decorated , mentioned in despatches and was made a Companion of the Bath.

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The Wolseley Helmet of Major George Henry William Baird, Seaforth Highlanders.

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Major George H. W. Baird was born on 10 January 1903. He married Catherine Augusta Forester on 22 January 1931. George Baird was educated at Eton College, Eton, Berkshire, England.

George Baird was a Gentleman Cadet at the Royal Military College and was gazetted as a 2nd Lt in the Seaforth Highlanders on 30th August 1923. In October of 1928, Lt. G. H. W. Baird was selected for service on Staff and was appointed A.D.C. to the Governor & G.O.C. in C. (General Officer Commanding in Chief) Gibraltar. I believe this is the time period when he purchased this helmet. Continue reading →

Mystery Solved – Victorian British General Staff Officer’s Foreign Service Helmet circa 1884-86

HeaderThe subject of this article is a Foreign Service Helmet that I acquired 10 or so years ago from an antique mall in Canada. The seller did not represent it as anything in particular. It was just an old military helmet and plume with no provenance. Since that time it has been the focus of much frustration, as I have tried to nail down exactly what it is. I must thank my new friend Stuart Bates, for his “dog with a bone” attitude in helping me finally identify it, with certainty! Also thanks to Clive M. Law, Benny Bough, and my old friend Douglas N. Anderson, for their assistance and contribution in this effort. Continue reading →